Lets add pricing to the mix.

For random dates next month, on DEL-ORD, the following airlines are cheaper than AI

Air Canada
KLM
Swiss
Air France
British Airways
Lufthansa
Turkish Airlines
Cathay Pacific

For the same dates, between DEL-JFK, the following airlines are cheaper than AI
KLM
Air France
Etihad
Qatar
Virgin Atlantic
Swiss
Austrian
British Airways
Lufthansa
Turkish
Cathay Pacific
Jet Airways

Not many would pay more to fly AI over any of these airlines.